Selector mechanism

ABSTRACT

A cup is selected from a plurality of stacks by first aligning one of a corresponding plurality of arms which are at different heights with a desired dispensing point. A cam is rotated to pivot the arms causing only the aligned arm to effect a dispensing engagement with the dispensing point on the selected stack.

States Patent 1191 Lack et al.

[ 1 SELECTOR MECHANISM [75] Inventors: Bryan Edward Charles Lack,

Banbury; Donald Cramp, Southam nr. Leamington Spa, both of England [73]Assigneez. General Foods Corporation, White Plains, NY.

[22] Filed: Jan. 30, 1973 [21} Appl. No.: 327,888

52 US. 01. 221/124 51 1m.c1. ..B65g 59/06 [58] FieldofSearch..221/127,131,123,

[ Nov. 13, 1973 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,940,60312/1933 Nicholson 221/126 Primary ExaminerStanley H. TollbergAttorney-Gerald E. Jacobs [57] ABSTRACT 4 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure lSELECTOR MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toa selector mechanism and more particularly to a mechanism for selectingone of a plurality, i.e., two or more, of dispensing points. Theinvention is particularly concerned with a selector mechanism which isadapted to be incorporated ina dispensing machine for dispensing anumber of different products or articles, for example, separate cups ofdifferent beverages.

ln known machines for dispensing a number of separate items it is normalfor each dispensing unit to be operated by a separate coin mechanism.These individual mechanisms may be quite elaborate and the overallmachine is normally large and cumbersome. The mechanism provided by thepresent invention enables the desired dispensing point to be chosen withthe aid of a single selector and the resulting machine is relativelycompact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention thereis provided a selector mechanism for a dispensing machine having aplurality of dispensing points, which mechanism comprises a moveableselector adapted to be moveably located in a plurality of spearateidentifiable positions corresponding to the number of dispensing points,the said selector being attached to a rotatable member having aplurality of operating members rigidly attached thereto, the number ofoperating members also corresponding to the number of dispensing pointsand each operating member being associated with a single dispensingpoint but being in operable relationship therewith only when theselector is located in the corresponding identifiable position and meansfor pivotably moving the rotatable member to actuate the operatingmembers.

Th mechanism of the present invention is particularly suitable for usewith a dispensing machine of the type which provides cups containingdifferent powder mixes for subsequent topping up with, for example, hotwater to make up different beverages such as tea or coffee. Theinvention will be more particularly described with reference to such amachine and a mechanism suitable for use in this preferred embodiment isillustrated in the drawing accompanying the Provisional Specificationwhich is a perspective view of a preferred mechanism for operating threedispensing points. The dispensing points illustrated in the drawing areactuating arms A, B and C attached to conventional dispensing rings fordispensing single cups from a stack of cups placed within the ring. Thedispensing means themselves are conventional and form no part of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred selector mechanismillustrated in the. drawing comprises a moveable selector whichcomprises a lever having a knob at one end and being pivotally attachedat its inner end to a cam follower 2. The lever is adapted to be movedby the knob into separate positions within a gate 3, each positioncorresponding to the operating position of the associated dispensingpoint. The cam follower 2 is rigidly attached at a convenient point to arotatable rod 4 which is supported by bearings S. The rod 4 has rigidlyattached to it arms 6,

7 and 8, to total number of arms corresponding to the number ofdispensing points. The selector lever is attached to the cam follower insuch a manner as to allow the cam follower to pivot in the verticaldirection but to constrain it in the horizontal direction so that whenthe selector lever is moved within the gate it also moves the rod 4 viathe cam follower 2 and consequently the arms 6, 7 and 8. Thispositioning of the selector lever aligns striker plates 9 attached tothe end of the arms with the appropriate dispensing point. In theposition illustrated in the drawing arm 6 is lined up with dispensingpoint A, the selector being in the far left hand position of the gate 3.I

To operate the dispensing point chosen it merely remains to raise thefront edge of the cam follower plate a suitable amount. In theembodiment illustrated in the drawing a cam is used affixed via a shaftto a knob 10. By twisting the knob, the cam'is rotated to raise theplate 2. This action moves the arms 6, 7 and 8 forward but since thestriker plate on arm 6 is the only one in line with its associateddispensing point, dispensing point A is the only one to be operated. Ifthe selector lever is moved to the mid position in the gate then thiswill operate only dispensing point B, and so on for dispensing point C.

The knob 10 is released for turning preferably by means of a coinmechanism which may be either mechanically or electrically operated.Such coin mechanisms are conventional.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawing the actualselector means is a knob attached to a selector lever but it is to beunderstood that other selector means, such as for example a knob on adial with appropriate linkages to the actuating rod 4, may be used.Also, the actual dispensing points may be other than dispensing ringsfor cups. For example, mechanically operated drawers or slots forpackages of sweets or cigarettes.

What we claim is:

l. A selector mechanism for a dispensing machine having a plurality ofdispensing points comprising a moveable selector adapted to be moveablylocated in a plurality of separate identifiable positions correspondingto the number of dispensing points, said selector being attached to'arotatable member having a plurality of operating members rigidlyattached thereto, the number of operating members also corresponding tothe number of dispensing points and each operating member beingassociated with a single dispensing point but being in operablerelationship therewith only when the selector is located in thecorresponding identifiable position and means for pivotably moving therotatable member to actuate the operating members.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, in which the moveable selectorcomprises a lever having a knob at one end and being pivotally attachedat its inner end to a cam follower.

3. A mechanism according to claim 2, in which said lever is adapted tobe moved by the knob into separate operating positions within a gate.

4. A'd'ispensing mechanism according to claim 3 in which each dispensingpoint contains a dispensing ring for dispensing single cups from a stackof cups placed within the ring.

1. A selector mechanism for a dispensing machine having a plurality ofdispensing points comprising a moveable selector adapted to be moveablylocated in a plurality of separate identifiable positions correspondingto the number of dispensing points, said selector being attached to arotatable member having a plurality of operating members rigidlyattached thereto, the number of operating members also corresponding tothe number of dispensing points and each operating member beingassociated with a single dispensing point but being in operablerelationship therewith only when the selector is located in thecorresponding identifiable position and means for pivotably moving therotatable member to actuate the operating members.
 2. A mechanismaccording to claim 1, in which the moveable selector comprises a leverhaving a knob at one end and being pivotally attached at its inner endto a cam follower.
 3. A mechanism according to claim 2, in which saidlever is adapted to be moved by the knob into separate operatingpositions within a gate.
 4. A dispensing mechanism according to claim 3in which each dispensing point contains a dispensing ring for dispensingsingle cups from a stack of cups placed within the ring.